The Patriots' OTAs are still a week away, so while we’ve survived the bulk of the slowest part of the NFL offseason (if there is such a thing), we still need to think of creative ways to satisfy our football-hungry minds.

Rob Gronkowski

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At 6’6’’, 265 lbs, Rob Gronkowski has the length and size of a prototypical defensive end.

Gronk is quick, powerful and has long arms (34 ¼ inch per NFL.com), so while it’s hard to imagine Gronk sticking his hand in the dirt and rushing the passer, that is exactly what he’d do if he were on the other side of the ball.

His physique actually closely resembles that of fellow Patriot Chandler Jones (6’5’’, 260 lbs), who is a promising talent at defensive end.

Logan Mankins

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This trench warrior on offense would remain a trench warrior on defense.

Given his size (6’4’’, 310 lbs), I don’t think there is any question that Mankins would have to be an interior lineman on defense. Whether that is a defensive tackle in a 4-3 or a defensive end in a 3-4 is up for debate.

Given his “farmer strength” as Haloti Ngata likes to call it (per NFL.com), it seems that Mankins would be able to push the pocket and clog up running lanes.

Essentially, he'd be asked to play the role of the guys that he has been blocking his entire career.